UK investors resilient to Brexit risk

A poll of 1,000 private investors found 44 per cent feel Brexit will have a positive impact on their investment plans in the year ahead.

The poll commissioned by investment company IW Capital quizzed people with more than £10,000 of investments – not including properties or pensions, on their hopes and fears for 2017.

The poll found investors were less positive on Donald Trump becoming president of the US with 44 per cent stating they think he will be detrimental to their 2017 investments, while only a quarter (27 per cent) of the UK’s investors stated they have faith in Theresa May’s capability to promote investment value as part of a post-Brexit government.

Interest rates also featured prominently on investors’ list of concerns with 36 per cent of those surveyed saying that record-low interest rates will have a negative effect on their investment strategy this year.

Furthermore 27 per cent of investors believe entrepreneurs and private sector businesses will play a critical role in driving private sector growth in 2017.

Luke Davis, chief executive of IW Capital, said: “In a year of firsts, where sizeable political shifts made a notable impression across many financial markets, investor sentiment within the private sector has remained resilient.

"It is interesting to note investors’ plans in light of the slump in interest rates and leadership discontent; transition brings opportunity, and this is reflected in today’s research."